Bonnie Gordon Obituary (1925 - 2009)

WAYNE - Bonnie Rae Lanier Gordon, 84, passed away on Nov. 21, 2009, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, after a brief illness. She was born in Denton, N.C., on May 12, 1925. After graduating high school, she left home at 17 to join the United States Coast Guard in the war effort. She served admirably and, despite a brief leave of absence imposed for joining underage, was honorably discharged as seaman first class in 1946. She married Robert Paul Gordon, of Portland, on June 11, 1948. She leaves behind dear friends from Scotch Plains, N.J., where she and Robert raised their two girls, Carolyn Gordon Ladd and Barbara Gordon Galouch. There, she worked as an executive secretary before following her husband, Robert, through promotions with Anheuser-Busch to Milford, N.H., working as a teacher and emergency medical technician; and to Fairfield, Calif., where she excelled as a real estate broker for Century 21. Upon the death of her beloved husband in 1984, she moved to Wayne to be near her daughters and grandchildren, with whom she spent the last two decades of her life, as well as her final hours. An avid golfer, Bonnie played regularly at Turner Highlands in Turner, Maple Lane in Livermore and Pine Acres Golf Course in Auburn, leaving behind many friends at each. Her skill and love of the game was surpassed only by her ability to inspire and teach it in others, enjoying countless rounds with her children and grandchildren for whom the game will never be without her memory. Successful as she was in the military, in public service, in business, and, briefly, as an athlete, playing semiprofessional basketball during World War II, it was as a wife, mother and grandmother that she found her true calling, devoting herself wholly to her family. Her generosity, selflessness and unflagging support will be missed. Her love, expressed in words, in food and in time, will be irreplaceable. Bonnie was predeceased by nine siblings. She is survived and remembered by her children, Carolyn and Barbara, of Wayne, and their husbands, G. Michael Ladd and Craig Allen Galouch, as well as her grandchildren, Jennifer Ladd Bennett, of Fair Haven, N.J., and her husband, Michael K. Bennett, Christopher Gordon Ladd of Cambridge, Mass., and Brandon Robert William Galouch, of Wayne, as well as her great-grandson, Keith Cameron Bennett, of Fair Haven. A service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Wayne Community Church in Wayne. As Bonnie was an ardent reader throughout her life, donations may be sent in lieu of flowers to Cary Memorial Library, P.O. Box 127, Wayne, ME 04284. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com